Lakers Defeat Rockets 89-70: Size Does Matter!

In this year’s playoffs, the Lakers usually lose when they score less than 100 points, but not today. The Lakers' defense made the difference. The Lakers used their size effectively to defeat the Houston Rockets 89-70 in Game Seven of their Western Conference Semifinal series. That was something they were unable to do in Houston in Game Four and Game Six. But today, size really did matter as Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, and Trevor Ariza clogged up the middle and forced the Rockets to shoot from outside. On the offensive boards they kept the ball alive and out-distanced the Rockets with second-chance points The Lakers got off to an 8-0 start and closed out the first quarter with a 22-12 lead over the Rockets. Trevor Ariza led all scorers with nine points after the first quarter. Though the Rockets tried to mount a comeback, the Lakers continued to get the ball in the hands of their big men to double their lead, and the first half ended with the Lakers up 51-31. In the half, Ariza remained ... (link)